[She:] Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. (Song of Solomon 8:6–7)
LOVE OVERCOMING DEATH. The woman claims that nothing—not floodwaters, death, or the grave—will be able to end their love. But don’t even marriage vows acknowledge “till death do us part”? Isn’t this poetic hyperbole? Yes, but the text also hints at something. The Lord’s love is literally stronger than death, and it protects us from both water and flames (Isaiah 43:2). So the subtle references in these verses “point us beyond this life to the greater love [of the Lord] who will never let us go, triumphing even over death, the last enemy.”139 What if spouses love each other in Christ, with Christ’s love that cannot end? Then while at the wedding we say, “till death do us part,” on our deathbeds we can say, “See you later.”
Reflection: How can you and your spouse be more ready for death—not just financially and practically but emotionally and spiritually? Have you discussed it candidly?
Prayer: Lord, how we praise you for giving us a love that is stronger than death—a love that will survive the grave. What greater comfort could there be? And we thank you for the price you paid for that comfort when you went to the cross for us. Amen.